I grew up with a best cousin friend who was nearly exactly my age. I had 4 younger sisters and she had 2 older brothers. So going to each other's home was always new and exciting. David is one of the older brothers. He tormented me as a girl (folding me up in the folding couch and hiding under our bed) and I loved it.

David is really special to me. I've always loved his quiet and wild heart. I spent endless summers watching him in the ocean mastering anything athletic he touched. When I think of him, I see him coming in from the ocean with his twinkly eyes, giant smile and his salty hair.

David has those same twinkly eyes for Alison.

Really the first good amount of time I spent with his bride was the morning of her wedding. I spent a few relaxing hours at their rental house with her family who flew from Scotland to celebrate. And what a sweet morning it was! Chatting and dancing and drinking tea and eating biscuits. As the hours ticked by my heart felt more and more glad that my dear cousin got to spend the rest of his life with this woman. Not only is she kind but she is genuine through and through. Not only is she strong (hello crossfit!) but she is gentle.

Alison and David had their first look at his parent's home in Charleston, SC where the summer sun pierced through the draping spanish moss in the most romantic of ways.

They had their intimate ceremony on the water at Cottage on the Creek on Shem Creek. During their ceremony they honored their parents beautifully and also honored David's daughter Jenna Kate with family vows.

As soon as they were pronounced husband and wife the sky poured down with a torrential summer rainstorm! Despite heavy rain, the party didn't even waver. The cocktail hour was cozy and intimate and everywhere I looked there were smiles and laughter.

Every wedding I do I look through my camera and document so many new faces. Even though they are just faces to me, I know each one is beloved and treasured by the bride and groom. It was really special to really know and love the people on the other side this go around; my great Aunt Lucy, who I named my daughter after, my cousin who I have 90% of my childhood memories with, and so many other loved ones.

I entered the wedding day completely positive that the dance floor would be hopping that night. No shadow of a doubt. And I wasn't disappointed. The dance floor was opened after the bride and groom interrupted their traditional first dance with the Whip and Nay Nay and the fun just went up from there. The whole evening was filled to the brim with laughter, good food, dance and so.much.fun. I might have even done the worm at one point...

If I were to try to describe Amy and Myles in one word it would be. . . thoughtful. It was obvious that their wedding day had been planned with the utmost care and with so many thoughts of each other scattered through out the day. Not only was the day full of reminders that they know and love eachother deeply, it was obvious that they love their family and friends well.

For such a planner, I was blown away and so honored when Amy told me multiple times "I trust you completely, just do your thing." What a gift to feel free to create and enjoy the day with them without the added stress of trying to fit myself in a box. The result is just incredible. Looking through the pictures I feel like I'm there, inhaling and exhaling that warm California air and watching it all unfold again.

If I were to label this wedding I would say it was equal parts old hollywood and geek chic. Star wars and vintage froggy video games found their way into their day as well as STUNNING flowers that were edgy and classic. We started at the old Lafayette Hotel and ended the day at Karl Strauss Brewery.

When all was said and done, fun was had (the dancing pictures are my FAVORITE) and love was declared; tender and heartfelt and full of confidence.

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

-Mr Darcy

The sun rose up behind her grandmother's antique lace wedding gown and illuminated "their field". The field that Stewart started loving Ruthanne on a night camping with friends in college. The field that Stewart professed his love to her in a beautifully and unashamedly romantic gesture of reenacting the scene where Mr Darcy professes his love to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. The field where Ruthanne said, "thank you but let's just be friends." The field where they, one day ended up getting engaged because Stewart did not give up.

And then, on a dewy August morning, I watched them walk towards each other, then run, ending a tearful and joyful embrace.

This kind of love is rare and I was so honored to document the day for them.